Reports: Eagles open to trading Jackson

BY LES BOWEN, Daily News Staff Writer bowenl@phillynews.com

Posted: March 20, 2014

ANOTHER DAY, another report about the Eagles possibly trading DeSean Jackson.

This time it was Comcast SportsNet's Derrick Gunn, saying league sources told him the Eagles are not shopping Jackson but are willing to listen to offers, and that so far, the 49ers and the Patriots have inquired. Gunn also said the front office has informed Jackson that it is listening to offers.

This might have been the most tangible piece of information to emerge from more than 2 weeks worth of speculation about a possible divorce between the Birds and the wideout whose 1,332 receiving yards last season ranked second in the history of the franchise.

The Eagles said they were aware of the report and had no comment. Earlier in the day, ESPN's Adam Schefter had reported the "willing to listen" stance, as well.

A source close to Jackson told the Daily News last night that the Eagles have not talked to Jackson about listening to offers or about the trade speculation, which began with a March 2 Philly.com blog post by Jimmy Kempski and has snowballed.

The source said Jackson "loves the city of Philadelphia and the Eagles, and the organization. He hopes to finish his career there, and he will be really hurt if they traded him for no apparent reason."

The source also asserted that Jackson "never got in trouble off the field and continues to do charity work for the community, along with staying on top of his game."

Gunn's report said the Eagles wanted "at least" a third-round draft pick for Jackson, 27, whose 17.2 career yards per catch rank second in the NFL among receivers with at least 300 catches since Jackson entered the NFL, in 2008. That would be an extremely low price, given the first-, third- and seventh-round picks the Vikings got from the Seahawks last year for Percy Harvin. Harvin is a 1 1/2 years younger than Jackson, but also has an even more troubling injury history.

Furthermore, neither the 49ers nor the Patriots has anything close to the salary-cap room needed to accommodate Jason's $12.5 million charge this season; even with a reworked contract, Jackson would represent a hefty investment. NFL Network reporter Albert Breer tweeted that he had "been told 49ers aren't interested in DeSean Jackson."

By not commenting, the Eagles furthered the perception that they are open to trading Jackson, whose seven 150-yard receiving games rank first in franchise history. Phillymag.com's Sheil Kapadia pointed out last night that in 2013, Jackson was one of four NFL receivers to catch more than 80 passes while averaging at least 16 yards per catch. The others were Calvin Johnson, Josh Gordon and Alshon Jeffery.

The only thing that has changed since Jackson signed a 5-year, $47 million extension before the 2012 season - having acknowledged he let his dissatisfaction get to him, causing him to not give his best effort in 2011 - is that Chip Kelly is now coaching the Eagles. The obvious conclusion is that Kelly is less willing to tolerate Jackson's diva tendencies than Andy Reid was.

Jackson and receivers coach Bob Bicknell clashed on the sideline during the Eagles' Dec. 15 loss at Minnesota. At the end of the season, Jackson told reporters that a reworked contract would be deserved, in his opinion, though he did not demand anything.

There has been speculation that Jackson tends to run through cash quickly. Last year former agent Drew Rosenhaus filed a grievance, alleging Jackson owed him $400,000 on unpaid loans.

But Jackson was an electric weapon in his first year in Kelly's offense. Removing him from the Eagles' arsenal would be a heavy blow, largely negating the return of Jeremy Maclin and the trade for Darren Sproles. Eagles fans are looking forward to seeing teams try to cover those guys and Jackson, not cover those guys instead of Jackson, a fan favorite ever since he soared to stardom as a second-round rookie in 2008.

This year's draft is said to be one of the deepest in history, particularly at wide receiver. Currently the Eagles have just six selections; they'd surely like more. But they'll be hard-pressed to draft anyone good enough to make the Pro Bowl at two positions, as Jackson did in 2009, appearing as a receiver and a returner.

Jackson's current agent, Joel Segal, did not respond to a request for comment last night. A Jackson publicist said he "isn't available to comment right now."